Tom Cleverley wants to 'feel like a real footballer again' during Watford loan

13 January 2017

Watford's new loan signing Tom Cleverley wants to "feel like a real footballer again" after being frozen out at Everton.

The former Manchester United and England midfielder was a regular for Roberto Martinez at Goodison Park last season, but opportunities under new manager Ronald Koeman have been harder to come by, and he has featured just twice for the Toffees since November 5.

However, after finalising terms on a temporary switch to Vicarage Road earlier this week, Cleverley - who spent a season on loan at the Hornets in 2009-10 and was named the club's player of the year - is poised to make his second debut for the club against Middlesbrough on Saturday.

"I'm 27, I am in my prime, and it's been a frustrating first half of the season for me," Cleverley told Talksport on Friday.

"I think I needed to get out (of Everton) and Watford gave me a great opportunity to get my head down and play some football, and hopefully I can help the team from now until the end of the season.

"I want to play as much as I can, assist and score as many goals as I can, and just to feel like a real footballer again.

"It's all right training every day, but you want to be playing on the Saturday and feel that buzz of being part of winning football matches again."

Cleverley is set to feature in what will be an emotionally-charged fixture at Watford following the sudden death of the club's former manager and chairman Graham Taylor.

Taylor, 72, who died on Thursday following a suspected heart attack, is widely recognised as Watford's greatest-ever boss following two successful periods in charge of the club.

The Hornets will pay tribute to Taylor with a one-minute applause ahead of the Premier League clash against Boro. They will also wear black armbands. Fans meanwhile, have paid their respects by laying flowers, scarves and shirts at Vicarage Road.

"He was around the place when I was first here (at Watford), and even at Aston Villa I bumped into him a couple of times," Cleverley added.

"He seemed like a real nice football man, and it was a sad day for everyone in football - especially everyone at Watford Football Club."